Business Sector

Test Types

Bone screws are used in surgical procedures for securing implants, osteosynthesis devices or fracture fixation plates to the skeletal system. In normal clinical use, a surgeon applies combined axial and torsional forces to the bone screw as they are implanted within the body. Manufacturers and scientists test bone screws to determine various mechanical properties to evaluate new materials and designs.

ASTM F543-07 Test A1: “Test Method for Determining the Torsional Properties of Metallic Bone Screws” requires the screw to be sufficiently clamped and a rotational velocity between 1 and 5 rpm to be applied until specimen failure and to measure the torque profile and the rotational angle.

ASTM F534-07 Test A2: “Test Method for Driving Torque of Medical Bone Screws” measures the torque required to insert and remove the screw with a constant rotational velocity between 1 and 5 rpm while maintaining an axial load of no more than 10 N in compression.

ASTM F543-07 Test A3: “Test Method for Determining the Axial Pull-out Strength of Medical Bone Screws” measures the force required to axially remove the screw that has been fully inserted in the test block using the method from Test A2. The pull-out fixture then applies a tensile load at a constant rate of 5 mm/min until the failure of the bone screw or removal from the test block.

ASTM F543-07 Test A4:“Test Method for Determining the Self-Tapping Performance of Self-Tapping Medical Bone Screws” specifies the procedure to evaluate the axial loading required to engage a self-tapping bone screw into a standard laboratory material. Although considered a simple clinical procedure, reproduction of this in vitro results in a relatively complex motion due to the interaction between the rotation and linear axes of a test machine. The test requires a continuous rotational velocity of up to 30 rpm, while the axial load is incremented during the insertion at a rate of 2 N/s. The objective of the test is to record the torque profile as the bone screw is inserted into the material and then removed.

The ElectroPuls™ E10000 Linear-Torsion machine or ElectroPuls E3000 Linear-Torsion test instrument are all-electric dynamic test system that provides a unique linear and torsion actuator system that is capable of synchronized linear and multi-rotation testing and is the ideal platform for performing the full range of tests prescribed by the standard. The combined actuator package is mounted in the upper crosshead of the machine, leaving the base clear for mounting of the biaxial Dynacell™ load cell and the fixtures to hold the material and bone screw.

We control the test system by using WaveMatrix™ Dynamic Test Software. This provides the ability to easily set-up the multi-axial tests as a series of steps and displays the required information as a test proceeds. Special fixtures are used to clamp the material to the biaxial load cell and a drill chuck used for the drive bits.

We recommend that you review the standard to fully understand its requirements.

5900 Universal Testing Systems are engineered for precision, built for durability, and offer the flexibility for changing requirements. They are designed with standard and optional features that increase testing efficiency and improve the testing experience for the operator. A wide range of models are available for testing capacities from < 100N up to 600kN.

Bluehill Universal Software is built from the ground-up for touch interaction and an intuitive user experience. Discover simpler and smarter testing with features such as pre-loaded test methods, QuickTest in seconds, enhanced data exporting: and Instron Connect – a new feature that provides a direct communication link to Service.
Users of previous versions of software such as Bluehill 2 and Bluehill 3 can easily upgrade to the newest version of Bluehill.

Simple multi-axis testing is used by Torsion Add-On for Electromechanical Universal Testing Systems, in order to check the performance of medical devices using simultaneous axial and torsional testing.

Simple multi-axis testing is often necessary to test the performance of medical devices, such as bone screws, luer locks, wires, child-proof medicine bottles, and tubing. Like much of the medical device design industry, new products and materials are being used to advance the industry and often require stringent testing per ASTM and ISO standards. Some of these standards, such as ASTM F543 for testing bone screws, requires that the test is performed with both axial and torsion control. The Instron® Torsion Add-On for Electromechanical Universal Testing Systems is designed for simple, simultaneous axial and torsional testing of devices and/or components, but can be used for purely uni-axial or torsional testing. The Torsion Add-On easily mounts to any new Instron 596X or can be retrofitted in the field on existing 596X frames. The torsion drive is mounted above the machine’s crosshead and all required electronics are mounted to one of the columns, thus maintaining the frame’s footprint.

As the preferred solution for low-force torsion testing and component in-service simulation, the MT MicroTorsion Series test wires, fasteners, switches, and springs in the biomedical, automotive, and aerospace industries.

ElectroPuls instruments are state-of-the-art electrodynamic test systems for dynamic and static tests on materials & components. Powered entirely from a single-phase mains supply, they feature the latest in testing technology and a host of other user-oriented features.

The ElectroPulsTM E3000 Linear-Torsion is a state-of-the-art, all-electric test instrument
designed for dynamic and static testing on a wide range of materials and components. It
includes Instron® advanced digital control electronics, bi-axial DynacellTM load cell, Console
software, and the very latest in testing technology – hassle-free tuning based on specimen
stiffness, electrically operated crosshead lifts, a T-slot table for flexible test set ups and a host
of other user-orientated features. Powered from a single-phase supply it requires no additional
utilities for basic machine operation (for example, pneumatic air, hydraulics, or water).

The ElectroPulsTM E10000 Linear-Torsion is a state-of-the-art, all-electric test instrument
designed for dynamic and static testing on a wide range of materials and components. It
includes Instron® advanced digital control electronics, bi-axial DynacellTM load cell, Console
software, and the very latest in testing technology – hassle-free tuning based on specimen
stiffness, electrically operated crosshead lifts, a T-slot table for flexible test set ups and a host
of other user-orientated features. Powered from a single-phase supply it requires no additional
utilities for basic machine operation (for example, pneumatic air, hydraulics, or water).

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